Does it happen to you that something good occurs and you just want to hold on to it, knowing that as life continues, that new awareness or wonderful experience will likely fade?
My husband is classic in wanting to hold on to the moment. We will have a great time having appetizers at an outdoor cafe, and he'll say, "we need to come here every Friday and do this." And it's not until a few months later, when we happen to be there again, that we both remember what he had said.
I recently came from a deeply enriching experiential learning program where throughout the weekend the dialogue, leaders, and material provoked inner awarenesses and ways of being that I want to keep alive. I've been here before, and as one who has run a lot of retreats, it's something I want for others, often. What can we do? I do wish I knew the answer. Here are a few thoughts. We know that transfer of knowledge tends to be about 20% in training, but experiential learning increases this, so remembering the feeling may generate more recall. The action plans we make in these sessions provoke changes in behavior that help us hold the power of the moment, particularly if applied shortly after. And recorded notes keep concepts fresh as we re-read them, if we do! These efforts are not made in vain.
A different perspective I will venture, however, is this: We never hold on to any moments. Those of us who love photography and long to hold the beauty of the moment know full well that even the most profoundly beautiful photo cannot capture the moment. As we live fully embracing life, each moment is its own and the power of it is a deposit in us that never leaves. It blends with all others to continuously recreate who we are and what is needed for the day, with all that is around us. So to my fellow packrats that struggle with letting go and leaping into the next moment, consider that the next moment will be even richer, built upon this one. And this moment has opportunity in it that cannot be duplicated. What do you want to do with it?
